IRANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ARRIVES IN TAJIKISTAN ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT








TEHERAN, March 8 /RIA Novosti correspondent Yevgeny Zainabitdinov/ - Iranian defence minister, vice-admiral Ali Shamkhani is arriving on Thursday in Tajikistan on a two-day official visit, the press-service of the Iranian Defence Ministry reports. 


	The head of the Iranian Defence Ministry will be received by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov and will hold negotiations with other officials of the country. He will also discuss with his Tajik counterpart Sherali Khayrulloyev the issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of defence, the ways of settling the Afghan problem, the development of the situation in Central Asia and the prospects of strengthening ties between the military departments of both countries, says the report. 


	The sides are expected to sign a joint statement on cooperation in the field of defence. (fed/vld)